What does the RACE acronym stand for in fire safety, and what is the nurse's role?

• A. Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Evacuate; nurse ensures patient safety and follows protocol
• B. Rescue, Alert, Contain, Evacuate; nurse monitors only
• C. Remove, Alarm, Contain, Evacuate
• D. Rescue, Assist, Contain, Evacuate

Answer: (A)

RACE describes the sequence of actions to take in a hospital fire: Rescue anyone in danger if you can do so safely, Alarm to notify others and summon help, Contain by closing doors (to limit the spread of fire and smoke), and Evacuate people to a safe location following the facility’s plan.

The nurse’s role centers on protecting patients and following protocol. This means first helping to move or assist patients away from danger only if it can be done without risking your safety or that of others. It also means triggering the alarm to alert staff and responders, helping to contain the fire by closing doors and securing areas when possible, and aiding in evacuating patients—especially those who cannot move on their own—along the designated routes. Throughout, the nurse adheres to the hospital’s fire safety procedures and coordinates with the incident response team to keep patients safe.